NCAA

Photo: Boston University junior forward/defenseman Ahti Oksanen was ranked 66th among European skaters for the 2012 NHL Draft, but was never drafted (courtesy of Richard T. Gagnon/Getty Images)

Front offices in the National Hockey League withhold many secrets, none that garner more speculation than why respective member clubs pass on draft-eligible players. Whether it’s concerns over size, injuries, production, or their interest level in playing in the league, there’s always an opportunity for a player to overcome those shortcomings in order to earn a chance the second time around. Read more»

Photo: U.S. NTDP forward and 2016 prospect Auston Matthews will lead the way for Team USA at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship (courtesy of Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

When it comes to USA Hockey’s U18 team, coming off gold in Belarus, gold in Germany, gold in the Czech Republic, silver in Russia and then gold again in Finland, there is little the program accepts other than excellence at the U18 level. Read more»

The CHL playoffs continue this weekend, with second round action on tap. In the OHL, an import forward and one of the most dynamic players in the league go head-to-head. The QMJHL matchup features two international players with rare hockey backgrounds in an interesting look at teams putting the pieces together. Meanwhile, in the WHL, a slumping power forward is hoping to put a few past an underrated goaltender playing behind a powerful offense. Finally, the USHL playoffs continue as two rivals an interstate apart clash for the first time in four years. Read more»

Photo: Erie Otters forward and 2015 prospect Connor McDavid picked up 14 points in his team’s 4-game sweep of the London Knights in the 2015 OHL playoffs (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

In this week’s feature, one unfortunate play does not define a player who has been defying expectations his entire career. A future first-overall prospect does it again, while other top draft-eligible prospects produce highlight reel plays. Other top prospects from around the globe notch game-winners, first professional goals, and one goaltender has the hearts of a city thanks to an improbable run to the playoffs. What more could you ask for from this week’s Prospect Impressions? Read more»

Photo: The Providence College Friars pose with the National Championship trophy after defeating Boston University by a 4-3 score in the 2015 Frozen Four at TD Garden in Boston, MA (courtesy of Michael Tureski/Icon Sportswire)

It took them 30 years to get back to the championship game, not to mention some much needed puck luck to be in a position to win it, but Providence College finally earned their first National Championship as they defeated Boston University by a 4-3 score at the 2015 NCAA Frozen Four. Read more»